Jan in VA

A couple weeks ago I had to come up with a salad potluck dish for a Monday luncheon with just what I had in the refrigerator.

I took an organic spring greens salad with slivered almonds and halved (scrumptious) strawberries topped with this dressing I made from an online recipe:

scant 1/4 cup good vintage balsamic vinegar
heavy 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping teaspoons full of Simply Fruit strawberry jam
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

After the luncheon I bought more of everything to have at home and ate this salad every day for a week! SO yummy as the strawberries were just divine this year and the dressing has sweetness to it....was good enough for no desert.

Jan in VA

QuiltE

I have a similar recipe (might even be the same) ... though you heat the balsamic, and add the other ingredients. Then serve as a hot dressing on the salad .... So Delicious! And such a surprise, with it being a hot dressing.

I usually make extra, and then have it cold after that.

Suggestion ... add some crumbled feta, for an exciting twist to the recipe!

Retired Fire Chief

Sounds yummy. I make a strawberry dressing to go on a spinach salad that I make with sliced strawberries and I make candied pecans to go on the salad as well. To make my dressing I smash a few strawberries, add some really good balsamic vinegar and olive oil and sugar to taste. I also add some poppy seeds, shake well and toss with the spinach and strawberries. Everyone raves over it, as a matter of fact, I think I will make a huge one to take to our annual neighborhood 4th pot luck! Thanks for sharing yours, I never considered using jam, good substitute when strawberries aren't the greatest.

QuiltE

Oh my goodness, how did I miss the strawberry jam ... the hot recipe I mentioned above used fresh sliced berries.

Thanks Retired FC for the candied pecan suggestion. That'd just put the whole mix over the top ... sprinkle on crumbled white feta, then the candied pecans and then the red of the dressing ..... it'd be a real razzle dazzle presentation!

For you Americans ... how about adding some blueberries? ... for a RW+B salad on the 4th?

jillnjo

Must say, this would be one delicious salad and I like the additional suggestions. Always love fruit and nuts added in a salad!

misskitty5

If you like fruit salad you will love this!! <o></o>
2 lbs. eachof red and green seedless grapes<o></o>
8 oz. cream cheese<o></o>
8 oz. sour cream<o></o>
½ cup granulated sugar<o></o>
1 tsp. ofvanilla<o></o>
<o></o>
Mix all ingredients together & stir in grapes. Refrigerate over night before serving<o></o>
<o></o>
Topping <o></o>
<o></o>
Mix<o></o>
1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of chopped toasted pecans Or Granola

Pete

My husband loves this --- except I use almond extract instead of vanilla and I really don't measure any of the ingredients. When I bring it to pot lucks it is always gone in a flash!

Jan in VA

Need that candied pecans recipe, please!!

Jan in VA

Retired Fire Chief

You can make candied pecans 2 different ways, I am vegan (loved the suggestion of feta cheese, I remember how I loved it before I changed from vegetarian to vegan) so I use Earth Balance which is a really good butter replacement - much better for you and even my husband loves it. Anyway, either use a slightly whipped egg or melted butter to coat your pecans then roll pecans in mix of sugar and cinnamon. I never measure anything so sorry for not giving measurements. I put the pecans on parchment paper to save cleaning my cookie sheet. Put them in pre-heated 350 oven, watch carefully, I think using butter or earth balance cooks quite fast. You can turn them if you would like but it really isn't necessary. I don't think it takes more than 5-10 mins. to cook the coating, let them cool completely and the ones you don't eat right away you can put on your salad. Enjoy, I think they are as good and probably better for you than the ones you get at fairs and carnivals. You can also use the same coating on walnuts - super yummy and almonds. Love them all!

just joan

Jan, Thanks for the recipe. My DH and I love salad. This will give us a new way to make one.